10 Reasons why we will beat Stoke + Starting XI

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1.. A great away performance at Marseille has boosted the confidence of the squad. There’s even a bit of papertalk about us challenging for trophies now.

2.. We have all our defenders fit, for the first time since 1987, expect to see Jenks, Moneral and Vermaelen on the bench. Wenger will stick to the back 4 who started in France mid-week

3.. Gibbs, I love this fella. He has had more than his fair share of silly niggling injuries over the last few years, but right now he is running himself into the ground, covering the left side of the pitch practically unaided at times. He has everything needed to be a world class left back, just need the fitness now.

4.. Arteta is reported to be back in contention, like Vermaelen he will start on the bench, but he does offer the option to cover in a number of midfield roles. Diaby is also expected back, around December 2017

5.. Ramsey, what a start to the season, what a goal midweek and now facing the player (cnut) who not only screwed his leg but also his mind for a few seasons. Thank Dennis that he is over the injury and is looking his strongest physically and mentally for us. He of course will have some apprehensions facing Stoke, but with everyone fully behind him he will hopefully teach them a lesson Sunday.

6.. Ozil, already showing strong signs to why he is rated as the assist king of world football. He will be looking forward to finally playing in Islington and making the right 1st impression on home soil.

7.. Stoke have changed under Mark Hughes, but you can’t polish a turd. They have had wins against West Ham and Palace by the odd goal and a draw away to Man City, but have only scored 3 goals in 4 League games. Fingers crossed they will come wanting to play Football instead of Rugby, if they do we will roll them over.

8.. Giroud, I worry about him, until we get Podolski back he is our only real Central attacking option and Stoke will be looking to kick him at every given opportunity. I know he wont react but the fear is an injury. I do expect him to lead the line and scare Stoke on occasions as he continues his great start to the season.

9.. The Villa game aside we are currently on a great run and I’m looking at the small amount of fit players at the moment as an advantage. They are playing regularly with each other, not there there is much choice, but the familiarity seems to be doing us some favour’s right now.

10.. Wenger knows, If we are to do anything in the league this season these are the types of games we have to get 3 points out of.

Likely starting X1 – Chesney, Sagna, Kos, Per, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Wilshere, Ozil, Giroud, Theoooo

Giroud injury would mean a change of formation for Arsenal

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A lot of talk over the last few weeks would be how would we line up if Olivier Giroud picked up an injury. Like many others, I held my breath as he limped off the pitch last weekend against Sunderland. Whilst Giroud is a brilliant physical specimen – his last 4 seasons he has played 42, 43, 52 & 57 games for club and country – it is inevitable that he will pick up an injury.

Were that to happen, it would potentially cause a catastrophe as we have no top class 2nd choice striker in the squad. An injury prone postman in Yaya Sanogo and Nicklas Bendtner (cnut) are our only two proper striking options in the squad. That is not good enough and it would cause a worry.

Writing a few things down on paper, messing about with players in positions and formations, I have come up with a good possible solution were Oliver Giroud to get an injury. It would see us move from our current 4-2-3-1 formation to a narrower 4-3-2-1 Christmas tree formation.

The defence does not need to be talked about for obvious reasons. As we move through the midfield, it would see us have 3 central players in front of the defence. This would make us a tad bit more defensive, but also allow us to sit deeper. Jack Wilshere & Aaron Ramsey on the left and right of the 3 would be a given. The central would be either Mathieu Flamini or Mikel Arteta, depending on injuries. This would allow Wilshere & Ramsey to cover the full backs when play is down that side, whilst still allow us to have 2 men on the inside.

Ahead of them, we then have a narrow two in behind the striker. No points for guessing who these would be. Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla. They would then sit behind Theo Walcott.

This would see us line up:

Szczesny
Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Gibbs
Ramsey Arteta Wilshere
Cazorla Ozil
Walcott

Whilst the formation is narrow, what it would do is get the best out of all the players on the pitch. There would be no point in playing a wider formation with Walcott upfront. He does not have the height or heading ability were we to whip crosses in. What he would require is through balls. Over the top, or quickly in behind. By playing both Ozil and Cazorla in behind him, he would have plenty of ammunition. Also, with Theo up top and Ozil and Cazorla behind, it would leave the opponents with a quandary with how to defend.

Defend deep, and it leaves Cazorla and Ozil on the edge of the box to fire in shots. Defend high, and it allows Walcott to run in behind.

The 3 man central midfield then allows the front 3 to neglect their defensive duties. We are essentially playing with 7 of the outfield 10 with a defensive mindset. This allows Cazorla, Ozil and Walcott to concentrate on attacks, and allows us to sit deeper. This in turn would mean that Cazorla, Ozil and Walcott would spend more time on the half way line, allowing us to launch quick counter attacks.

With a midfield 3 of Ramsey, Arteta & Wilshere, we can certainly play quick counter attacking football. All 3 are excellent passers. All able to either clip the ball over the top of the opponents defence from deep giving Walcott plenty of space to run into, or play the ball shorter into Ozil or Cazorla to build up an attack.

Yes, playing 4-3-2-1 does mean a narrower style of play, but it should still be a winning style. One that should see us put out a strong enough XI to win most games.

Now does anyone know Arsene Wenger’s email address so I can let him know the plan?

Keenos

WWWWWDWDWWWLWWWWWW

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“We are on an upward spiral in terms of confidence and they are in a negative spiral in terms of results, to [get] out of that negative spiral is extremely difficult.”
– Andre Villas-Boas, 4 March 2013

Since Arsenal lost to Tottenham 2-1 at White Hart Lane on the 3rd of March. A lot has happened;

  • Arsenal overturned a 7 point deficit to overhaul Spurs for the final Champions League spot
  • Gareth Bale, goal scorer that day, left Spurs
  • Arsenal signed Mesut Ozil

Since that day, Arsenal’s record reads P 18 W 15 D 2 L 1

Marseille 1-2 Arsenal
Sunderland 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-0 Tottenham
Arsenal 2-0 Fenerbahce
Fulham 1-3 Arsenal
Fenerbahce 0-3 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-3 Aston Villa
Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-1 Wigan
QPR 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Man Utd
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 0-0 Everton
Arsenal 3-1 Norwich
West Brom 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-1 Reading
Swansea 0-2 Arsenal
Bayern Munich 0-2 Arsenal

The only blot on that copy book is the Aston Villa defeat. What is certain is the form over the last 18 games is the form of a top, top team. The form of potential Champions. It is about time we get the credit, the respect, we deserve. No just from opposing fans and the media. But from ourselves. Let us start believing in ourselves. We have a very special set of players. Let us start believing in them.

Be the twelfth man.

Keenos